Roster/Rumors/Speculation/Trade Talk - 2023-24: Hotel California

[Lights911]

Sabers locking up and putting together a decent core

Good deal, good player

 

[impaaaaaact]

They are going to need Whalstrom next year. There isn’t going to be a lot of money for the isles to throw around in the off-season to go after a proven goal scorer. Esp if they want to keep Mayfield.

I think if he’s healthy we can pencil him for 15ish goals and 30ish points on the third line and second pp. will be a bargain if he’s on a QO or thereabouts

 

[TheWhiteWhale30]

Go you one better. With Bolduc's play since his call up, I think Mayfield becomes expendable. It's probably the plan to let him walk anyway unless he signs a very team friendly deal. He, perhaps with a sweetener like a 3rd round pick, could possibly bring back a first from a cap tight team in need for a tough d for the playoffs.

Just a thought. It is possible to retool and rebuild at the same time. We'll see.

This I see if the isles are out of the picture. Ideally I’d like to keep Mayfield but like so many I’m afraid we just won’t have the space for him. Varly though should be getting traded regardless. I believe mayfield if not signed to a reasonable extension should Atleast be shopped.

As far as retooling and rebuilding at the same time it is basically just retooling in my eyes. You continue to make smart decisions based on future needs while giving your team a chance to win now. All leads to extending the retool window for as long as possible.

If a retool is successfully managed technically a rebuild should never be necessary. But this is obviously very hard to accomplish lol The Red wings did it best making the playoffs 25 years in a row. Boston now is a team that has a chance to do the same one day.

 

[steveat]

I think if he’s healthy we can pencil him for 15ish goals and 30ish points on the third line and second pp. will be a bargain if he’s on a QO or thereabouts

Now that Barzal is on wing and Palmieri is on second...umm...does Wahlstrom play left wing or does he play 3rd line center? Parise - Pageau - Wahlstrom.

 

[danteipp]

Now that Barzal is on wing and Palmieri is on second...umm...does Wahlstrom play left wing or does he play 3rd line center? Parise - Pageau - Wahlstrom.

With Wahlstrom out for the season and, assuming he doesn't get dealt before next year, you have to think he is brought back and given a shot to win the RW3 spot next season. Alongside JGP and perhaps one of Parise or Holmstrom, it could be a nice mix.

 

[TeamKidd]

It's varly or Mayfield.... which do we keep?

 

[Mike C]

It's varly or Mayfield.... which do we keep?

Mayfield all day

 

[impaaaaaact]

Now that Barzal is on wing and Palmieri is on second...umm...does Wahlstrom play left wing or does he play 3rd line center? Parise - Pageau - Wahlstrom.

Someone above mentioned moving Holmstrom to LW and playing him with Pageau and Wahlstrom and I can see that happening. Parise plays with Casey and Fasching if he’s re-signed

 

[BrockLobster]

Sabers locking up and putting together a decent core

As per the main boards the best deal ever...as opposed to the worst one in history signed 2 days ago...lol

 

[SI90]

As per the main boards the best deal ever...as opposed to the worst one in history signed 2 days ago...lol

It’s amazing the amnesia people have year to year. Also, how the price of UFA works.

 

[MJF]

It's varly or Mayfield.... which do we keep?

Hypothetical? I Iove Mayfield but I’d keep Varlamov. With the state of backup goaltending around the league I wouldn’t want to weaken what we have. I can find a 3rd pair defenseman easier than another Varly.

 

[Abradolf Lincler]

Hypothetical? I Iove Mayfield but I’d keep Varlamov. With the state of backup goaltending around the league I wouldn’t want to weaken what we have. I can find a 3rd pair defenseman easier than another Varly.

This isn’t even close in my mind, I get everyone is fond of mayfield and I am too from his play during all the runs. Honestly, I’ve watched every game this season and his ability to clear the zone and make a first pass or get the puck out has fallen off a cliff, I watch turnover after turnover every game in what appears to be very dumb plays and poor decision making.

The more I watch, and with every soft clear off the glass that falls onto the opposing players stick, I find myself praying we don’t extend him and move on.

 

[seafoam]

Someone above mentioned moving Holmstrom to LW and playing him with Pageau and Wahlstrom and I can see that happening. Parise plays with Casey and Fasching if he’s re-signed

Holmstrom (while being left handed) is and has been a primary RW before the draft and in his professional career.

Wahlstrom will likely be dealt this offseason (if not by the deadline), or will sign his QO and be competiting with Fasching and Holmstrom for an everyday role (assuming Clutterbuck is LTIR).

If he loses a job to Fasching and Holmstrom, the writing is on the wall for him to be moved.

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

Holmstrom (while being left handed) is and has been a primary RW before the draft and in his professional career.

Wahlstrom will likely be dealt this offseason (if not by the deadline), or will sign his QO and be competiting with Fasching and Holmstrom for an everyday role (assuming Clutterbuck is LTIR).

If he loses a job to Fasching and Holmstrom, the writing is on the wall for him to be moved.

For all Lou’s hate they found something in Fasching, he’s a fourth liner but As someone who watched him in Bridgeport I’ve said how isn’t he in NHL. He is perfect guy on that fourth line replacing clutterbuck.

 

[doublechili]

I just want to get in here with the prediction that this thread will pivot from:

"Oh no, Lou is going to trade a 1st round pick when he should tear it down and rebuild";

to:

"Just watch, Lou is going to sit on his hands when he should be trading the '25 first round pick and go for it."

 

[gordie43]

In no way am I saying Mayfield should be delt, but if Bloduc keeps building on games like tonight is he the guy that takes that spot or does Aho lose ice time?

 

[impaaaaaact]

Holmstrom (while being left handed) is and has been a primary RW before the draft and in his professional career.

Wahlstrom will likely be dealt this offseason (if not by the deadline), or will sign his QO and be competiting with Fasching and Holmstrom for an everyday role (assuming Clutterbuck is LTIR).

If he loses a job to Fasching and Holmstrom, the writing is on the wall for him to be moved.

He's probably at his lowest overall trade value right now, being on a season ending injury. We will probably get more value out of him by just signing him to the QO. But if neither of Fasching or Holmstrom is moving to LW, then I think it's less his job to lose and more that he'll have to steal one from either of them.

In no way am I saying Mayfield should be delt, but if Bloduc keeps building on games like tonight is he the guy that takes that spot or does Aho lose ice time?

I know it's been 5 games but Bolduc looks like he's been in the league for 5 years. Honestly, I would rather sit Romanov that Aho for him, but would rather see Bolduc than either of them. Wonder if Lou feels the same way, because Romanov is apparently still worth a mid first to some GMs in this league - could end up flipping him right back at the deadline

 

[Mike C]

For all Lou’s hate they found something in Fasching, he’s a fourth liner but As someone who watched him in Bridgeport I’ve said how isn’t he in NHL. He is perfect guy on that fourth line replacing clutterbuck.

I thought he was a standout tonight as well as Palmieri.

 

[SRBisles]

If Bolduc really starts to emerge, could we see Romanov going to Arizona as part of a Chychrun deal?

AZ gets back another young, cost controlled dman++. Just food for thought.

 

[Mike C]

If Bolduc really starts to emerge, could we see Romanov going to Arizona as part of a Chychrun deal?

AZ gets back another young, cost controlled dman++. Just food for thought.

I think a let's give him some more time before handing him the keys approach might be prudent

 

[Lek]

I think a let's give him some more time before handing him the keys approach might be prudent

Sure, but this kid looks solid. Super smooth and never in panic mode. Just not many young D that do this. He, right now, makes my do not move list.

 

[Top Corner]

This isn’t even close in my mind, I get everyone is fond of mayfield and I am too from his play during all the runs. Honestly, I’ve watched every game this season and his ability to clear the zone and make a first pass or get the puck out has fallen off a cliff, I watch turnover after turnover every game in what appears to be very dumb plays and poor decision making.

The more I watch, and with every soft clear off the glass that falls onto the opposing players stick, I find myself praying we don’t extend him and move on.

Exactly, it’s about projecting where a player will be down the road . Just like stocks, sell high(if you were trading him) or avoid spending more capital (cap) if you feel he will trend lower and can be equally replaced with less cap

 

[Top Corner]

In no way am I saying Mayfield should be delt, but if Bloduc keeps building on games like tonight is he the guy that takes that spot or does Aho lose ice time?

If I knew I had a Bolduc playing the way I have seen in recent games, I would never of made a move for Romanov , he has looked poised and more than capable.

If Bolduc really starts to emerge, could we see Romanov going to Arizona as part of a Chychrun deal?

AZ gets back another young, cost controlled dman++. Just food for thought.

I would certainly be ok with that , would not want to see Bolduc moved based on what I’ve seen.

 

[seabass45]

Go you one better. With Bolduc's play since his call up, I think Mayfield becomes expendable. It's probably the plan to let him walk anyway unless he signs a very team friendly deal. He, perhaps with a sweetener like a 3rd round pick, could possibly bring back a first from a cap tight team in need for a tough d for the playoffs.

Just a thought. It is possible to retool and rebuild at the same time. We'll see.

Bolduc and Mayfield play different sides and I wouldn’t necessarily assume that Bolduc can handle the right. I’ve seen it over and over again with this team where a player has to cover for injuries on his off side and doesn’t perform well.

I’m team “play your natural side”, i know Trotz was and I’m guessing Lambert feels the same way, and there’s a good reason for that.

Is Hutton playing well? He’s signed for two more years after this and I thought the whole point of that was that he might take over Mayfield’s spot.

 

[mm11]

Just think Romanov will make a difference in a heavy slugging playoff series one day. Kid blocks shot and should make it hard. Bolduc does look good but has had some injury issues even going back to junior days unless i'm mistaken.